U.S. Senator James Risch has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 that would compel the Secretary of State to review Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally within 90 days. The proposal cites President William Ruto’s deepening economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing, as well as allegations that Nairobi used American security assistance to commit abductions, torture and other abuses during recent protests. If the measure is adopted, Secretary of State Marco Rubio would have 180 days to report to Congress on whether Kenya should retain, modify or lose the status, which affords privileged access to U.S. military financing, surplus equipment and joint research programs. Only 18 other nations currently hold the designation; Afghanistan was stripped of it in 2022. In Nairobi, Ruto defended his pivot to China, highlighting Beijing’s removal of tariffs on Kenyan tea, coffee and avocados and calling the partnership “in Kenya’s best interest.” By contrast, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, now an opposition figure, welcomed the U.S. inquiry and urged Kenyans to submit evidence of police brutality and the government’s alleged cooperation with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces. Kenyan lawmakers and analysts said the possible downgrade would be largely symbolic but could signal a wider re-assessment of security cooperation between Washington and Nairobi.